Giotto sure racked his brains for that answer. It would be obvious that he was lying if he said he didn't want to meet the Mermaid Princess. But if he immediately said he wanted to, Aria might take him as a scumbag. So, he had to express his genuine curiosity about meeting Princess Shirahoshi while also complimenting Aria. He must ensure make Aria believe that she was the most beautiful woman for him, and meeting the Mermaid Princess was simply to satisfy his curiosity!
Upon hearing Giotto's response, Neptune and the others felt like they got to know a new side of Giotto. Even Jinbe had a strange look on his face.
But Giotto didn't care about what they think. After all, he could tell that the chilling sensation he felt earlier had already disappeared through his Color of Observation Haki. For him, this was a huge success!
He successfully avoided danger this time!
"Since when did my dear Vongola Primo learn to use such sweet words? But I quite like your answer, even though you may not mean it... Let's get that moron. Otherwise, this meal will be spoiled."
Aria was relatively satisfied with Giotto's response and added, "King Neptune, lead the way! Let's see your daughter first, and then we can wait until that scum makes his move and then deal with him!"
The banquet wasn't over yet, but since they had heard the story, there was no way they could enjoy the feast without doing anything. Neptune was very concerned about his daughter. If Vongola Primo and Aria could take care of Vander Decken IX, that would be best.
So, he personally led the two of them towards the Hard-Shell Tower, with Jinbe following King Neptune and Queen Otohime.
It looked like Neptune would owe Vongola Family a favor again. He had owed too much to Giotto that he might not be able to repay him even if he spent a lifetime to do so. If Giotto and Aria weren't already married, Neptune might have married her to Giotto once she grew up...
Wait a minute!
Who said that Giotto couldn't have the second wife?
Neptune's mind began to wander. He was lucky that Aria couldn't see through others' thoughts subconsciously; otherwise, Neptune would have to beg for his life.
"Is this where Mermaid Princess live? This is simply too much!"
Upon arriving in front of Hard-Shell Tower, Aria noticed so many marks left by the things that Vander Decken threw at Shirahoshi. Some of them even were still stuck on the gate.
It was unfair to let a young girl live in a place like this. While it was for her protection, it was inevitable that she would be frightened.
"Princess Shirahoshi stays inside the Hard-Shell Tower most of the time. She's only allowed to go out for a while when I'm with her. After all, we can't predict when Vander Decken will attack. If the Princess leaves the tower, it means she could be in danger at any time," Jinbe explained.
Giotto nodded and said, "King Neptune, open the gate. With Aria and me here, let alone Vander Decken IX, even if Whitebeard himself came, he wouldn't be able to harm your daughter!"
Of course, Whitebeard wouldn't do such a despicable thing. Giotto was just using him as an example.
Neptune opened the gate without hesitation. He was well aware of how strong Vongola Primo was, so he was not worried.
Just as the gate was halfway open, Giotto suddenly frowned, and then he leaped into the air. At that moment, a huge axe was flying towards him, but Giotto caught it with one hand, stopping it in its tracks.
Against Vander Decken's attacks, he didn't even need to enter Dying Will mode; his raw physical strength and Color of Arms Haki were sufficient.
"Aria!"
Giotto immediately shouted after blocking the axe.
At that moment, Aria closed her eyes. She used her foresight to predict the future and search for Vander Decken IX's whereabouts.
She might not be good at combat, but she should not be underestimated!
"Two o'clock, deep in the sea. Stay in contact; I've already locked onto his location!" As soon as Aria opened her eyes, she immediately provided this response.
As long as she focused on him, he wouldn't escape her perception.
"Jinbe, stay here. I'll be right back!"
Giotto then flew toward the direction that Aria pointed at earlier with Dying Will Flame.
Once Giotto found Vander Decken IX, only death awaited him!
"Alright, no need to worry about this matter anymore. Primo will resolve it quickly. Let's go and see the Mermaid Princess now. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to see how beautiful your daughter is. If I have a daughter in the future, I hope she will grow as beautiful as the Mermaid Princess." Aria said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Queen Otohime, who was standing nearby, also smiled. "Your daughter will undoubtedly be the most beautiful and happiest girl in the world. However, you may also give birth to a handsome boy. With you two as the parent, countless people will be envious of your child!"
Everyone then entered the Hard-Shell Tower, and Aria finally saw the famous Mermaid Princess with her own eyes...
It was hard to imagine that this girl was only eleven years old as she was only slightly smaller than Neptune. When she grew up, she would probably be even bigger than Neptune.
She was a giant-sized mermaid with long, flowing pink hair with a taiyaki-shaped hairgrip, bright blue eyes, a beautiful face, and her body had already started developing.
Looking at the Mermaid Princess in front of her, Aria couldn't help but exclaim, "She's really beautiful. When she grows up, she'll definitely be even more beautiful!"